Victor Estima

Victor Estima is a prolific Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who has medalled in some of the world’s most important BJJ tournaments such as the World Championships, the European Open and the World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championships. A member of the Gracie Barra academy and a student of the ilustrious coach ‘Ze Radiola‘, is also revered for his technical contribution to the sport, having created a highly successful submission eloquently called “the Estima Lock“. Victor is brother younger of another highly regarded competitor named Braulio Estima.

Victor Estima Biography

Victor Estima was born in Recife, state of Pernambuco, Brazil on the 8th of January 1985. Though Vitor did not grow up being a sporty person, he did start training martial arts at a relatively young age, he was 8 years old when he joined his brother Braulio at his Judo club. This was relatively short lived and Victor would follow his older brother once again, this time to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at age 12, training under Charles dos Anjos.

At his BJJ academy, Victor Estima did not have any other 12 year old kids to train with, every training partner was an adult and so Victor started losing the will to train. He stopped for a couple of years but always followed and supported Braulio in his athletic endeavors. This close contact with the sport kept the Jiu Jitsu “bug” alive inside Victor and he returned after a sabbatical couple of years.

When Victor Estima returned to his old academy, Charles dos Anjos had left, and Zé “Radiola” was the man in charge. Under Radiola, Victor showed that he was as gifted as his brother, conquering several competitions in his home state (in fact it was said in his interview to: martialedge.com, that he never lost a fight in Pernambuco), fighting many times as an adult when he was still in his early teens.

Victor started travelling to England to be with his brother who had moved to the European country when he was a purple belt. Braulio was instrumental to Victor Estima’s technical growth and his approach to competition which led to his black belt (awarded in 2006).

After so many trips to England, Victor decided to settle in the United Kingdom where he partnered up with his brother at Gracie Barra Midlands. In The UK, Victor also worked with a few MMA fighters, helping their grappling development, fighters such as the famed Team Rough House crew.

In 2011 after an unexpected last minute call for the world’s biggest grappling show, the ADCC, Victor proved that he belonged among the best being named as one of the most exciting fighters in the tournament (though failing to medal). A little over a month after the famous competition, Victor tried his luck once again at a major Nogi (without the use of the kimono) Jiu Jitsu tournament, the World Nogi Championship, proving again to be one of the top middleweights in the world by winning the tournament.

Hi Mike, I know it's not ATT's Renato, but it might be another Renato Tavares as it is not an uncommon name in Brazil. I couldn't recognize the fighter by the footage, so I will trust (and hope) the guy that uploaded the video to youtube knew who he was talking about.